Air Travel Etiquette

Years ago, a smiling flight attendant brought each passenger a meal and offered free drinks throughout the flight, longer flights had free movies, and check-in officials might offer free upgrades or flight changes to travel-stressed passengers. Flying is different today, however, with tighter security restrictions and fewer amenities on most flights, and many passengers feel like just one more piece of luggage on already overcrowded planes. With the right attitude and proper air travel etiquette, however, you can help keep the skies friendly for all airline passengers, including yourself.

Following proper etiquette is more valuable than just for courtesy, however. Polite passengers may find themselves asked to move to better seats when planes are overcrowded, and helpful flight attendants will be all too glad to find an extra pillow, blanket, or headset for a courteous passenger. These etiquette tips can help you not only be friendly in the skies yourself, but also encourage others to be friendly in return.

In the terminal...

• Do not block flight information screens. If you need to move closer to the screen to see it clearly, do so at a screen without other passengers and move out of the way quickly once you have verified your information.
• Put your trash, newspapers, and bottles in the appropriate containers in the terminal rather than leaving them as litter for other passengers to trip on or for airport employees to clean up. Airports have frequent trash containers and recycling bins available, so make use of them.
• Be aware of the flow of foot traffic through the airport and use moving walkways appropriately. Most airports follow the convention of walking on the left and standing on the right to allow passengers in a hurry to be able to pass if necessary. Furthermore, be sure that any children you are traveling with are not playing on the moving sidewalks or escalators.
• When waiting at the gate for your flight to begin boarding, take up as few seats in the waiting area as possible. This means not using an extra seat as a luggage rack or leaving several seats between you and other passengers. With security precautions requiring passengers to arrive at the airport earlier than ever, it can be tempting to use extra seats for footstools or naps, but doing so is impolite to other waiting passengers.

When boarding the plane...

• Have your carry-on luggage condensed and organized before walking down the jetway. If you know you will want certain items out of your bag during the flight, be sure they are in an easily accessible pocket, and if possible, keep all necessary items in one bag. This ensures that you don't need to sort through multiple bags in the tight confines of airline seats.
• Board the plane only when your seating section, zone, or row number is called. Most airlines organize passenger boarding so that there are minimal delays as passengers enter the aircraft, and individuals who board at the wrong time can clog the aisles.
• If there are multiple people in your party, board the aircraft in a single file line according to the order of your seats. Individuals with window seats should be in front, while individuals with aisle seats should be last in line. This allows everyone to find their seats in order without shuffling around in the tight aisles.
• When boarding, move quickly but carefully down the aisle holding any bags or carry-on items directly in front or behind you to avoid bumping into other passengers. The few minutes while you are walking through the aircraft and finding your seat are not the appropriate time to hold conversations or pass items back and forth between individuals, as this will only cause needless delays.
• As airlines add fees for checked baggage, more and more passengers are attempting to stow all their belongings in carry-on bags. If possible, minimize your use of the overhead bin by stowing at least one bag beneath the seat in front of you. For the bags you do place in the overhead bin, place them in firmly against neighboring bags to maximize remaining space. As a further courtesy to your fellow passengers, keep any items you will need to access during the flight in the bag you store beneath the seat in front of you so you needn't access the overhead bin during the flight.

During the flight...

• Minimize the number of times you leave your seat, if at all. Moving about the cabin can be dangerous in turbulent air, and it can also interfere with the flight attendants' duties. A polite passenger makes sure to stay out of the way if at all possible.
• If possible, avoid reclining your seat, particularly during short or especially crowded flights. While many passengers will want to nap or sleep during longer flights or when traveling at night, reclining your seat can be uncomfortable for the passenger seated behind you.
• Parents flying with young children should keep their children quietly entertained during the flight and encourage them to use quiet voices or whispers when they talk. In the small, cramped quarters of a typical aircraft, a child's loud questions or upset cries can be very distracting and irritating for other passengers.
• When snacks are served, polite passengers will help pass cups, napkins, and packages to others seated in their row. While you eat or drink your own refreshments, take care not to accidentally spill, particularly during a rough flight.
• If you are seated next to a stranger, as so many airline travelers are, keep the seat arm down between the two of you. This is a polite way to define personal boundaries in a ridiculously confined space.
• If you plan on watching an in-flight movie, playing portable video games, or listening to an mp3 player, use snug headphones and keep the volume respectfully low so you do not disturb other passengers.
• When you have finished the in-flight snack, have your trash ready for the flight attendants to collect. Also dispose of magazines, newspapers, or other trash to help keep the aircraft clean. Cleaning crews have very little time between flights to clean the cabin area, and any assistance from courteous passengers is always appreciated.
• Avoid eating food with strong aromas, and similarly, avoid using perfume while on a flight. Many passengers can be sensitive to strong smells, and a polite traveler will minimize any potentially distracting odors. At the same time, be sure your clothes are clean and that your personal hygiene is impeccable when traveling to avoid any excessive body odors.
• When sitting in a window seat, be aware of any incoming sunlight and how it may affect your fellow passengers. When the sun is rising or setting, the glare from an open shade can be uncomfortable, but lowering the shade just a few inches is an easy and polite way to minimize discomfort for everyone in your row.
• If you are seated next to the aisle, do not stretch your feet out into the aisle in an attempt to get more legroom. Doing so can create a trip hazard for passengers moving about the cabin and can impede the flight attendants' duties.
• Avoid encroaching on the personal space of other passengers. Do not push, nudge, or kick the seat in front of you, and be sure any young children you are traveling with do not do so. When you are getting items in an out of your carry-on bags, keep your elbows in and avoid nudging your seatmates.

When leaving the plane...

• Even a short flight can seem long in an overcrowded airplane and every passenger is eager to debark, whether they have another flight to catch or if they have reached their destination, but patience is necessary. Avoid standing up and crowding the aisle until the rows in front of you have cleared out.
• Minimize using your cell phone on the airplane. While you may be eager to let friends and family members know you've arrived at your destination, any calls can wait a few minutes until you've reached the terminal so your conversations do not disturb other passengers in the crowded plane.
• If individuals seated around you are in the same party, let them pass out of the plane together. Many times, families are separated by several seats, and polite travelers will let them reunite as they debark.
• As more people bring multiple carry-on items, it isn't always possible to place them in the nearest overhead bins to your seat. If you notice that other passengers cannot reach their bags, lift them down and pass them to the appropriate persons. This is not only polite, but it can ease congestion in the aisle so everyone can exit the aircraft more quickly.
• Very few airplanes arrive precisely on time, and the delay of a few minutes can be devastating to travelers who need to make tight connections. If there are passengers on your plane who are late to catch another flight, let them pass in front of you as the plane is unloaded. Those few extra seconds may be critical as they race to make their next flight.

When claiming luggage...

• When you are waiting at the baggage claim, stay several steps back from the conveyor belt to avoid crowding other passengers who also need to retrieve their bags. If possible, send only one or two members of your party to get the bags while everyone else waits a reasonable distance away.
• It's amazing how many travelers use plain black bags. If your luggage is a common design, double check identification tags when you claim it to be sure you don't inadvertently pick up someone else's bags.
• If another passenger has trouble reaching bags they need to claim, be polite and help them get their bags off the conveyor. If your bags were out of reach, you'd certainly appreciate the same assistance.

From the time you enter the terminal to when you claim your bags at your designation, following the proper air travel etiquette can make the skies friendly not only for your fellow passengers, but you'll find flying even more enjoyable yourself.